ASSESSMENT OF FISHING EFFORT , CATCH PER UNIT EFFORT AND FISH PRODUCTIVITY IN THE SELECTED SITES OF BATTICALOA LAGOON FOR WIDELY CONSUMED FISH SPECIES

Abstract

Present study was carried out in the selected site of Batticaloa Lagoon were investigated from June 2023 to September 2023. Sampling was done at three landing sites of Batticaloa Lagoon namely Paalameenmadu, Sathurukondan and Paddiruppu. When visit once at each landing site, the weight of widely consumed three species that are Arius maculatus (Spotted Catfish), Etroplus suratensis (Green Chromide) and Mugil cephalus (Mullet) which are more than 90Yo of the total catch of cast net composition was collected and recorded separately from each cast net operated canoes in the unit of kilogram through the balance that has two decimal point. In Paalameenmadu, the highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) (0.0295 kg per effort) was recorded. This site close to bar mouth too, CPUE was high and the landing were dominated by marine species. Fish productivity (9.I2 kg ha-r yr-l), total catch per month (8738.31 kg) and total annual catch (104859.71kg) also were recorded high in Paalameenmadu. The fishing effort (FE) (314545) is recorded high in Paddiruppu, The Lowest CPUE (0.0116 kg per effort), fish productivity (3.S9 kg ha-ryr-r), total catch per month (3731.54 kg) and total annual catch (44778.45 kg) were recorded in Paddiruppu. The Lowest FE (271480.5) rs recorded in Sathurukondan. The rise in CPUE resulting from large captures for mass marketing and illicit fishing is greater than the fish production rate in Paalameenmadu. If things continue as they are, there will be fewer fish at the landing place, and Paalameenmadu fisherman will become more competitive. As a result, the current rules and regulations were severely enforced, and the relevant authorities will legalize fishing operations in accordance with the necessary laws and regulations.